US 12,081,724 B2
Multiplexed multi-view scanning aerial cameras
Paul Lapstun, Collaroy Beach (AU)
Assigned to NEARMAP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD., Barangaroo (AU)
Filed by Nearmap Australia Pty Ltd., Barangaroo (AU)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/381,697.
Application 18/381,697 is a continuation of application No. 18/119,439, filed on Mar. 9, 2023, granted, now 11,831,856.
Application 18/119,439 is a continuation of application No. 17/452,663, filed on Oct. 28, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/452,663 is a continuation of application No. 17/084,629, filed on Oct. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,190,751, issued on Nov. 30, 2021.
Application 17/084,629 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/221,640, filed on Dec. 17, 2018, granted, now 10,846,558, issued on Nov. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0048679 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 13/243 (2018.01); H04N 13/00 (2018.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 13/243 (2018.05) [H04N 2013/0085 (2013.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A scanning camera for capturing a set of images along at least two curved scan paths on an object plane within an area of interest, each image of the set of images associated with a viewing angle and a viewing direction relative to the object plane, the scanning camera comprising:
a camera assembly comprising an image sensor and a lens, and having a camera optical axis,
a plurality of scanning mirrors, each associated with one of a plurality of scanning paths and each establishing an optical axis;
a plurality of drives, each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of scanning mirrors and configured to spin the respective one of the plurality of scanning mirrors about a respective spin angle about a respective spin axis;
a multiplexing mirror configured to multiplex imaging beams from each of the plurality of scanning mirrors onto the image sensor via the lens of the camera assembly; and
a multiplexing mirror drive coupled to the multiplexing mirror and configured to cause the multiplexing mirror to spin to multiplex the imaging beams on the image sensor via the lens of the camera assembly,
wherein a viewing angle and a viewing direction of each of the imaging beams is relative to the object plane and varies with a respective spin angle and a pointing direction of a respective optical axis of a respective one of the scanning mirrors.